An Hua's words really moved Xu Shoulin.
After liberation, his paintings were not very popular. Although he held some positions and received a salary, it was only enough to cover his expenses. He did not have much savings, and he was later demoted to the lower regions.
All the money he had now was just ten years’ worth of back pay.
Although he was going to seek refuge with his brothers, as the saying goes, even brothers still have to settle accounts. If he didn't make more preparations, he would really become a poor relative who had to beg for money.
Xu Shoulin actually had this idea in mind from the beginning, but unfortunately he had no way to get money, no one bought his paintings, and his belongings were long gone, leaving only this second courtyard house that he had just returned.
He wanted to sell the courtyard house, but who would buy it?
After hearing what An Hua said, Xu Shoulin asked, "Why? You... Old An, do you want this courtyard house?"
Xu Shoulin subconsciously thought that this was An Bohuai's idea.
An Bohuai was also surprised and looked at his daughter.
An Huayu: "Uncle Xu, I do have this idea. Mainly because I like traditional buildings like courtyard houses. This courtyard house is so well preserved and complete. To be honest, I was attracted as soon as I walked in."
Xu Shoulin teased her: "You are just like your father, greedy. When you see something good, you want to hold it in your arms."
An Bohuai asked back: "Are you not like this?"
Xu Shoulin laughed out loud.
Mrs. Xu didn't know whether she should laugh or not. She had calculated everything well and let her nephew from her natal family take care of the courtyard house, which was equivalent to giving the courtyard house to her natal family. Now that he suddenly wanted to sell it, how could she explain to her natal family?
In fact, Mrs. Xu was also considering herself. Xu Shoulin was old, and if nothing unexpected happened, he would probably be buried in a foreign country.
But she is only in her fifties, and she still has at least another twenty years to live. She has no children, so what will she do when Xu Shoulin dies? Maybe I will have to return to China at that time, and when I return I will definitely have to rely on my nephew.
Mrs. Xu glanced at Xu Shoulin. It seemed that Xu Shoulin also wanted to sell it.
Madam Xu opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. She always listened to Xu Shoulin and never went against his wishes.
After hesitating for a while, considering the problems she would face when she got old, Mrs. Xu mustered up the courage to speak, "Shoulin, Lao An is your old friend. Isn't it inappropriate for old friends to discuss business?"
Before Xu Shoulin could say anything, An Bohuai said, "What's inappropriate? Even brothers have to settle accounts. Old Xu, don't even think about giving me the house for free. I'm going to get angry!"
An Bohuai misunderstood Mrs. Xu's intention and thought that Mrs. Xu was embarrassed to accept money and wanted to give the courtyard house to him for free.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with his thinking process. If it were him, he might do the same thing. After all, a house is a common thing, not an antique or a painting. There is nothing for him to be reluctant to part with.
Xu Shoulin was also successfully misled by An Bohuai's words. He thought that was what Mrs. Xu meant, and it made him feel embarrassed to accept the money.
Seeing Xu Shoulin's slightly embarrassed expression, An Hua hurriedly said, "My father is right. Houses are not cheap. How can we give them away for free? Besides, we are embarrassed to accept them. Uncle Xu, let's just treat it as a business deal. You sell and I buy. We can charge the right amount. Don't feel burdened."
Xu Shoulin: "This..."
An Bohuai: "Old Xu, if you don't take the money, you don't consider me a friend!"
After An Bohuai and An Hua persuaded him, Xu Shoulin finally nodded reluctantly. "Okay, if I refuse again, it will seem that I don't want to give the house to you."
Mrs. Xu looked anxious, but didn't know how to stop it.
"Uncle Xu, then, can you give me a price?"
This put Xu Shoulin in a difficult position.
How to quote?
He bought this courtyard house for free, so there was no market price for him to refer to.
Xu Shoulin really didn't know how much price he should offer.
"Otherwise, you guys can give it to me as you see fit."
An Hua and An Bohuai looked at each other and looked at? What do you think?
They still don't know how to price it.
If it was someone she didn't know, An Hua would definitely try to lower the price as much as possible, but Xu Shoulin was, after all, an old friend of An Bohuai.
An Hua recalled the information she had read online some time ago, which said that a courtyard house from the 1980s would only cost around 10,000 or 20,000 yuan.
It's not the 1980s yet, and wages and prices haven't risen yet. However, considering that this courtyard house is large, well-planned, and well-preserved... An Hua tried to say a number, "How about 15,000?"
How could Xu Shoulin not be pleased? Even if An Hua only gave him a few thousand yuan, he would not bargain for the sake of his face.
An Hua was able to give so much, which was a pleasant surprise. He was so happy that he said, "Girl, I have more than a dozen scrolls of paintings hidden on the beams. I was planning to give them to old friends, but now I won't bother and will give them all to you."
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